SSAT Upper Level Verbal : SSAT Upper Level Verbal

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #131 : Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

BEMOAN

Possible Answers:

Lament

Dispute

Pollute

Bewilder

Devastate

Correct answer:

Lament

Explanation:

"Bemoan" means show sadness about something, so "lament," a word that when used as a verb means grieve or wail, is the correct answer. "Devastate" means destroy or wreck. "Bewilder" means confuse or baffle. "Dispute" means to debate or to argue. "Pollute" means to contaiminate or to poison.

Example Question #1772 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DISSEMBLE

Possible Answers:

Levitate

Undermine

Conceal

Ridicule

Caution

Correct answer:

Conceal

Explanation:

“Dissemble” means to conceal or to fake, so "conceal" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to “dissemble”. “Undermine” means to weaken. “Caution” means to warn. “Ridicule” means to mock or to deride. “Levitate” means to rise up or to float in mid-air.  

Example Question #1773 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ESCHEW

Possible Answers:

Traverse

Beep

Shun

Predict

Fix

Correct answer:

Shun

Explanation:

“Eschew” means to shun or to avoid, so "shun" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to “eschew”. “Predict” means to forecast. "Beep” means to emit a short, high-pitched, electronic sound. “Traverse” means to cross. “Fix” means to repair.

Example Question #1774 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

EVINCE

Possible Answers:

Increase

Graft

Happen

Reveal

Hemorrhage

Correct answer:

Reveal

Explanation:

To “evince” is to show clearly or to reveal, so "reveal" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to “evince”. “Increase” means to get bigger. “Graft” means to insert or to transplant. “Hemorrhage” means to bleed, especially profusely. “Happen” means to occur.  

Example Question #1775 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

JUSTIFY

Possible Answers:

Borrow

Languish

Pretend

Warrant

Scintillate

Correct answer:

Warrant

Explanation:

"Justify" means be a good reason for something. Similarly, "warrant" means require or deserve something, so "warrant" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "justify": "pretend" means simulate or feign, "languish" means suffer or become weak, scintillate means sparkle or shimmer, and "borrow" means take possession of something temporarily with the intention of returning it to its original owner after one has used it.

Example Question #2571 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DECRY

Possible Answers:

Convene

Thank

Chat

Criticize

Wait

Correct answer:

Criticize

Explanation:

To "decry" something is to openly criticize it, so "criticize" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "decry": “wait” means to remain inactive until something expected happens; “convene” means assemblegather or meet;“chat” means converse or have a casual conversation; and “thank” means express gratitude.

Example Question #2572 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DESCRY

Possible Answers:

Conspire

Phrase

Fail

Perceive 

Purge

Correct answer:

Perceive 

Explanation:

To "descry" is to perceive or to see by looking carefully, so "perceive" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "descry": “conspire” means to plot to do something morally wrong;“fail” means be unsuccessful; “purge” means get rid of all of something from a certain thing or area; and "phrase” means express with words in a particular way.  

Example Question #61 : Synonyms: Verbs

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

COGITATE

Possible Answers:

Duplicate

Stalk

Ponder

Fake

Influence

Correct answer:

Ponder

Explanation:

"Cogitate" means think about or ponder, so "ponder" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "cogitate":  “stalk” means pursue stealthily;“fake” means to pretend that something is true; to “duplicate” something means to copy it; and to “influence” someone or something means to sway that person or it.

Example Question #2573 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

GOAD

Possible Answers:

Understand 

Imply 

Garrison 

Provoke 

Recount 

Correct answer:

Provoke 

Explanation:

To “goad” somebody means to provoke themor to incite a reaction in them, so "provoke" is the correct answer. For clarification, "imply" means to suggest something without directly expressing it, and "garrison" means station military troops somewhere.

Example Question #2574 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

OPINE

Possible Answers:

Mingle

Know

Inter

Contest

Contend

Correct answer:

Contend

Explanation:

“Opine” is a verb that means declare to be one’s opinion, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like say as one’s opinion. That means that “know” cannot be the correct answer, because “know” can mean be absolutely certain or sure about something, and so deals with (perceived) facts instead of opinions. “Contend,” however, is a verb that means assert, and because “contend” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “opine,” “contend” is the correct answer.

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